Structural space frames



Aug. 20, 1957 l R. HENDERSON 2,803,317

STRUCTURAL SPACE FRAMES v 5 Filed May 31, 1955. 5 sheds-sneu 1 'Aug'.20, 1957 R. HENDERSON STRUCTURAL SPACE FRAMES Filed My 31, 1955 5Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEYS l Aug. 20, 1957 R. HENDERSON 2,803,317

STRCTURAL SPACE ERAMES v Filed May 51, 1955 5 sheets-sheet' 5 INVENTORv/4% 'm ATTORNEYS l Aug. 20, 1957 R. HENDERSON 2,803,317

f 4 4 STRUCTURAL SFACE FRAMES 4 Filed May 3l, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 4ATTOR EYS Aug.20,'1957 RHENDERSON- STRUCTURAL SPACE FRAMES Filed May 31,.1955 5 sheets-sheet 5 FIG.

INVENTOR- WrK Unte States arent STRUCTURAL SPACE FRAlVIES RobertHenderson, South Devon, England, assignor to Research Interests Limited,London, England, a British company Application May 31, 1955, Serial No.512,103

Claims priority, application Great Britain May 31, 1954 7 Claims. (Cl.189-34) This invention relates to structural space frames.

According to the present invention, such a frame comprises a skeletonforming (when expanded if collapsible) interconnected and alternatelyinverted pyramids, there being several of such pyramids along both thelength and the width of the frame, one main surface of the frame beingformed by the contiguous bases of the pyramids facing in one directionand the other main surface of the frame being formed by the contiguousbases of the other set of pyramids which are inverted in respect of thefirst set, the bases of the pyramids being defined by the apices of theadjacent inverted pyramids, and the inclined edges of the pyramids(which are common to each adjacent pair of relatively inverted pyramids)being formed by tie members joined together at points each of whichconstitutes the apex of one pyramid and a corner of the bases of theadjacent inverted pyramids, the skeleton being adapted to be connectedat some or all the apices to other members (not part of the space frameas such) which it is desired to support, reinforce and interconnect.

The word severa where used in this specification and n claims meansthree or more.

It will be appreciated that at the boundary edge of the structural spaceframe, i. e., at the edges of the main surfaces, or at gaps provided inthc space frames, the pyramids may be incomplete.

The space frame can if desired be built up from a number of units eachconsisting of a plurality of interconnected and inverted pyramids.

The tie members are preferably of tubular form, and can be ofrectangular cross-section with central reinforcing ribs extendinglongitudinally of the upper and lower walls of each member to resistlocal buckling. The tie members can be hingedly connected to junctionmembers at the apices of the pyramids so that they can be folded towardsone another to enable the frame to be collapsed, lengthwise andwidthwise, into a relatively small compass. This facilitates packing andtransport. The frame, or units of the frame, can, for example, easily bedelivered to a building site in the collapsed condition and can beopened when required after arrival on the site.

Tension wires can be provided to bridge the spaces between adjacentjunction members; these wires are hingedly connected to the junctionmembers and have hinged joints intermediate their ends so that they canbe folded with the tie members and are of such a length that when theframe is fully expanded to its operative position the wires are straightand adapted to provide tension members between the junction members.

The main surfaces of the frame, when in its operative position, can, ifdesired, be curved.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure l is a perspective view of a structural space frame according tothe invention,

Figure 2 is an end view of part of the frame,

Figure 3 is a fragmentary perspective view,

Figure 4 is a sectional view of a tie member,

ice

Figure 5 is a perspective view of an optional addition to the framelooking from beneath, the sheet being converted for clarity,

Figure 6 is an end View,

Figures 7 and 8 are details of alternative parts of the addition, whileFigure 9 is a View illustrating the application of the invention to acurved space frame.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures l to 4, acollapsible structural space frame is built up from a number of tiemembers 1 which are inclined with respect to each other so that theydefine the inclined edges of a plurality of interconnected andalternately inverted pyramidal skeletons, each pyramid being foursided.These tie members 1 can be of aluminium or a light metal alloy or ofsteel or other suitable material and are of hollow rectangular or squarecrosssection. They can each conveniently be built up from two U-channelsections 1a and 1b (Figure 4), the free ends of the arms of which arebent over to form interlocking ribs 2. These ribs 2 are disposed on theoutside of the top and bottom walls of the tie member and serve as areinforcement which resists local buckling. The side walls of the tiemembers l project beyond the top and bottom to provide, at each end ofthe tie members, lugs or extensions 3 which are hingedly connected bypivots 4 to junction members 5.

The ribs 2 are not essential as the tie members can, for example, be ofdrawn rectangular tube. In a further alternative, the tie members canhave end portions of hollow rectangular cross-section in which tit mainportions of another material.

The junction members 5 each comprise a body portion Sa (Figure 3) havingfour arms 5b projecting from it at right angles land folded to shapefrom a single sheet of aluminium or light metal alloy or other suitablematerial. The lugs 3 of thetie members l tit over each of these arms 5band are connected thereto by the pivots 4. The junction members 5 aretherefore mounted at the apices of the various alternately invertedpyramidal skeletons which together constitute the space frame. The bodyportions Sa of the junction members present fiat outer surfaces whichcan support a baton 6a or 6b or a beam, joist, or other part of abuilding and have suitable apertures 7 to receive screws or bolts or thelike. The body portions forming the apexes of the pyramids facing in onedirection all lie in one plane and those forming the apices of thepyramids facing in the opposite direction all lie in another planespaced from and parallel to the first. Thus, for example, the bodyportions in one plane can be used to support batons 6a carrying a roof8a and those in the other plane can be used to support batons 6bcarrying a ceiling 8b. It should be noted that, if desired, the parts(e. g., batons or beams) supported by the body portion 5a in one planecan be set at right angles to, or diagonally of, those supported by thebody portion in the other plane.

Owing to the hinged connexions between the tie members l and thejunction member 3, the tie members can be folded towards one another (asshown in broken lines in Figure 2) to collapse the structure so as toreduce its size in two directions to facilitate transport or storage.

If desired, some of the pyramid skeletons can be omitted to provide anopening or wall for the passage of, for example, a staircase or lanternlight.

Some of the pyramid skeletons can be of different sizes withoutpreventing the structure from being collapsed or folded.

The space frame can be used in the construction of flat or pitched roofsor it can be used vertically in the construction of a wall.

Figures 5 to S illustrate the addition of a two-dimensional foldinglower chord tension member to the space frame illustrated in Figures 1to 4 in substitution for the bottom batons 6b and the same referencenumerals are used to designate similar parts. In this construction,tension wires 9 bridge the spaces between adjacent bottom junctionmembers 5. These tension Wires are each assembled from two lengths ofwire hingedly connected toge-ther by a wire ring 10, The tension wires 9are hingedly secured to the junction members by connectors il which eachcomprise a cruciform plate 11a secured to the body part 5a of a junctionmember and a wire frame 11a, the free ends of the arms of the cruciformplate being bent to embrace the frame 11b. The free ends of thecross-ties 9 are bent round the corners of the frame 11b. The frame canbe of substantially square shape as shown in Figures 5 and 8 or it canhave eyes at the corners as shown in Figure 7. The cross-ties 9 can becollapsed with the space frame as shown in Figure 6 and the eyes 11Censure that the tension wires 9 move in a desired plane when beingfolded up.

The space frame is not restricted to use in the flat, but can be used inany arch form ranging between the fiat and a full semi-circle. Figure 9is a diagram illustrating the application of the invention to such acurved space frame and in this figure the same reference numerals areused to denote parts similar to those illustratedI in the precedinggures, curved members 12, 13 being respectively secured to the inner andouter series of junction members. To some extent, it can also be used toprovide a dome.

If desired, the junction members can be made of such a shape that theycan be nested one within another. In said case, the tie members are nothinged to them, but are rivetted to them so that the space frame has tobe assembled on -the site.

What I claim is:

l. A structural space frame of variable configuration for supporting,reinforcing, and connecting members, comprising a skeleton formed byinterconnected and alternately inverted pyramids, there being severalsuch pyramids along both the length and width of the frame, one mainsurface of the frame being formed by the contiguous bases of thepyramids facing in one direction and the other main surface of the framebeing formed by the contiguous bases of the other set of pyramids whichare inverted in respect of the first set, the bases of the pyramidsbeing defined by the apices of the adjacent inverted pyramids, tiemembers defining inclined edges of the pyramids and joined together atpoints each of which constitutes the apex of one pyramid and a corner ofthe bases of the adjacent inverted pyramids, each of said tie membersbeing common to an adjacent pair of relatively inverted pyramids, theskeleton being adapted to be connected at least some of the apices tosaid members which it is desired to support, reinforce and interconnect,a junction member at the apex of each of said pyramids, and hinge meansconnecting said tie members and said junction members whereby said tiemembers can be folded towards one another so rthat the frame can becollapsed lengthwise and widthwise to assume various configurations.

2. A structural space frame as set forth in claim 1, said bases of thepyramids being four sided.

3. A structural space frame as set forth in claim l, including tensionmembers for bridging the spaces between adjacent junction members in oneplane of the frame, first hinge means connecting said junction membersand said tension members, and second hinge means intermediate the endsof said tension members, whereby the latter can be collapsed with theframe.

4. A structural space frame as set forth in claim l, includingcomplementary abutment means between the junction members and the tiemembers to define an open configuration of the frame.

5. A structural space frame as set forth in claim 4, said tie membersbeing tubular in cross section.

6. A structural space frame as set forth in claim 5, said tubulartiemembers having reinforcing ribs extending longitudinally of the wallsfacing inwards and outwards of the pyramids in order to resist localbuckling.

7. A structural space frame as set forth in claim 5, said tubular tiemembers comprising two U-channel sheet metal sections having the freeends of their sides bent and interlocked to provide said tie memberswith reinforcing ribs extending longitudinally of the walls facinginwards and outward of the pyramids thereby to resist local buckling.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS435,155 Schmemann Aug. 26, 1890 2,353,07l Pitou July 4, 1944 2,433,677Thomas Dec. 30, 1947 2,709,975 Parker June 7, 1955 FOREIGN PATENTS806,218 France Sept. 2l, 1936 561,214 Great Britain May 10, 1944

